Automobile heater



Dec. 31, 1940. H. J. DE N. MccoLLuM AUTOMOBJ'CLE HEATER Filed April 6.1938 mm, ULM

Patented Dec. 311, 1940 I UNITED STATES PATENT oFFlcE N 8 Claims.

The invention relates generally to automobile heaters and the presentapplication is a continuation in part of a co-pending application,Serial No. 61,213 led January 28, 1936, which has 'matured into PatentNo. 2,191,173.

More particularly, the present invention relates to the operation andcontrol of those engine-created vacuums which may be used as a source ofpower lto provide the iluid pressure differential needed for theproduction and movement of a stream of hot gases through a radiator inthe operation of the independent heat generator illustrated anddescribed in said co-pending application.

In the particular embodiment illustrated, the vacuum which is utilizedfor the purposes mentioned is that which is developed in the intakemanifold of the engine. However, it is appreciated that, with thisparticular source, the degree of vacuum created ranges from zero toapproximately twenty-six inches of mercury, depending upon the speed andthe load to which the engine is subjected under operating conditions.Under such circumstances, if the degree of vacuum applied to the heatgenerator to draw the combustible mixture and hot gases through theheater were permitted to vary likewise, it is apparent that theoperation of the heater would be irregular and unsatisfactory.

present invention to convert the widely varying degree of vacuum createdin the intake manifold of an automobile engine into a substantiallyuniform working vacuum for operating a combustion heat generator of theclass described.

Another object of the invention -is to `provide an improved means forcausing a substantially uniform rate of flow of the gases of combustionthrough the heater.

Another 'object of the invention is to provid a heater of the classdescribed of a character such that heat units are supplied uniformly tothe radiator for heat transfer purpses. regardless of variations in thepressure differential ern-` ployed to operate the heater.

Another object of the invention is to provide a vacuum compensator forheaters of the class described which provides a gradual compensa/tingcorrection for wide or sudden variations in the 50 degree of vacuumdeveloped in the intake manifold of an internal combustion engine.\

Another object of the invention is to provide a i control for aninternal combustion device of a character whereby the operation of thedevice is 55 governed for uniform performance by variably consequently,it is one of the objects of the (c1. zar-112.3) l

restricting the exhaust flow of the gases of combustion.

Another object of the invention is to provide in a heater o'f the classdescribed, a compensator. therefor which is simple in construction andoperation, effective in luse, and inexpensive to manufacture andoperate.

These being among the objects of the invention, other and furtherobjects will become apparent from the drawing herein, the descriptionrelating thereto and the appended claims.

Referring now to the embodiment of the invention illustrated, partly insection, in the single t view of the accompanying drawing, the heaterconstruction I0, which is more particularly described in said co-pendingapplication. comprises generally, a carbureting device I2 supplied withgasoline preferably from the float bowl Il of the usual enginecarburetor. Suitable means is provided to control the iiow of gasolineto the heater Il and the amount of .air mixed therewith in order tosupply to the heater several combustible mixtures of dliferent degreesof richness to take care of the various heater requirements encounteredunder starting and running conditions.

The combustible mixture supplied by the carbureting device is fed intothe combustion chamber il through a tube I8 and a perforated bailleplate 2l by means of which pre-heat and turbulence are eifected tothoroughly vaporiae the mixture entering the combustion chamber. 4Themixture is ignited by an electricalheating element 22v located in arecess 24 in the side of the chamber, and, in event the flame everbecomes extinguished. the mixture is reignited by a reiractory ceramicplug 26 at the outlet of the combustion chamber which acquires asumciently high temperature for such purpose by being directly exposedto the ilame during the normal operation of the heater.

From the combustion chamber Il the hot gases pass through a radiator 28comprising a circuitous tube 30 to which heat radiating iins 32 arethermally connected. Over these uns air is circulated in a mannerwhereby heat is transferred from the hot gases to the passengercompartment of the automobile for thecomfort of the passengers. j

The ilow of gases through the heater Il is oontrolled in two ways: one,by the ,valve Il which starts and stops the flow, and the other, by acompensator 4l interposed between the heater il and the intake manifoldfor regulating and rendering uniform the degree of vacuum to which theheater is subjected.-

In the particular embodiment of the compensator illustrated byenlargement in the accompanying drawing, the compensator 40 comprises avalve chamber 42, the outlet 44 of which is connected to the intakemanifold by the pipe 46, and the inlet 48 of which is connected to theheater I 0 by the pipe 5t.

Within the valve chamber 42 is a balanced Valve member 52 which isadapted partially to cover ports 4B. The balanced valve 52 is in theform of a piston and is connected to the central portion of a diaphragm54 by means of a link 56, the diaphragm being suitably mounted in acasing 58. One side of the diaphragm is subjected to atmosphericpressure because of the provision of a vent 60 in the casing 58, whilethe other side of the diaphragm is normally maintained at the samepressure as is present in the pipe 5D to which it is connected through atube 62 which is provided with a damping restriction 6d. The centralportion of the diaphragm is normally pressed to the left as viewed inthe drawing by a light compression coil spring 66, the tension of whichmay be adjusted bymeans of a thumb screw 68.

This particular compensator operates in the following manner: Upon anincrease in vacuum in the intake manifold, the pressure in the pipe 46will be decreased, and if the decrease in pressure in suiliciently greatand maintained for a suiiicient length of time, the pressure within thecasing 58 at the right side of the diaphragm 54 will be decreasedaccordingly and the valve 52 moved to the right against the force of thespring 65 under the force of atmospheric pressure acting upon theopposite side of the diaphragm. Thus, the ports 46 are partially coveredwhich results in a decrease in the ow of the gases of combustiontherethrough and a consequent decrease in degree of vacuum present inthe pipe 50. Because of the restriction 6d, uttering of the valve 52will be prevented and the compensating correction applied by this valvewill be effected gradually.

In this way an improved means is provided of a character causing asubstantially uniform rate of flow of the hot gases of combustionthrough a heater of the class described. Where the heater derives itspower from a source of widely varying pressure-differentials such as theintake manifold of an internal combustion engine. Moreover, the improveddevice is one providing a gradual compensating correction for the wideand sudden Vvariations encountered with the vacuum as developed in theintake manifold, and otherwise comes within the expressed and impliedobjects outlined herein.

Consequently, although a single embodiment of the invention has beendescribed herein, it

will be apparent to those skilled in the art that' various and furtheruses, modications, and changes may be made without departing from thespirit and substance of the invention, the scope of which iscommensurate with the appended claims. i

What is claimed is:

1. In an automobile heater of the internal combustion type in which theproducts of combustion are drawn into the intake manifold of theinternal combustion engine of the automobile, the combination of aconduit connecting the heater with the intake manifold of the engine, aspool valve operably mounted in said conduit toregulate the ilow offluid through said conduit,

a casing, a diaphragm in said casing, said diaazeaeii phragm beingexposed on one side to spring pressure and restrictedly to thezvacuumexisting in said conduit, and on the other side to atmosphere foroperating said valve, thereby to compensate for variations in the vacuumof the intake manifold. A

2. In an `automobile heater of the internal combustion type in which theproducts of combustion are drawn into the intake manifold of theinternal combustion engine of the automobile, the combination of aconduit connecting the heater with the intake manifold of the engine, abalanced spool valve operably mounted in said conduit to regulate thenow of fluid through said conduit, a casing, a diaphragm in said casing,said diaphragm being exposed upon one side to spring `pressure andvacuum in said conduit and upon the other side to atmosphere foroperating said valve, thereby to compensate for variations in the vacuumofthe intake manifold.

3. In an automobile heater of the class described which utilizes vacuumdeveloped in tl'ie intake manifold of the automobile engine-thecombination comprising, means providing a heater combustion chamber,means for feeding fuel to the combustion chamber, a conduit connectingthe combustion chamber to the intake manifold to eect a reduction ofpressure within the combustion chamber and to remove products ofcombustion from the combustion chamber, and means compensating forvariations in pressure `in the intake manifold to eiiect more evenpressure in the combustion chamber, the last mentioned means comprisinga valve adapted to variably restrict said conduit, and a controlmechanism for said valve including a movable element responsive to thedegree of vacuum in the conduit between the valve and the combustionchamber for controlling the position of the valve.

d. In an automobile heater of the class described which utilizes vacuumdeveloped in the intake manifold of the automobile engine, thecombination comprising, means providing a heater combustion chamber, aconduit connecting the combustion chamber to the intake manifold toetect a reduction of pressure Within the combustion chamber and toremove products of combustion from the combustion chamber, and meanscompensating for variations in pressure in the intake manifold to eiectmore even pressure in the combustion chamber, the last mentioned meanscomprising a valve adapted to variably restrict said conduit, a flexiblediaphragm connected by a link to the valve, a housingproviding a chamberon one side of the diaphragm, and means connecting the chamber to theconduit to effect ilexure of the diaphragm and consequent movement ofthe valve responsive to Variations in pressure within the conduit.

5. In an automobile heater of the class described whch utilizes vacuumdeveloped in the intake manifold of the automobile engine, thecombination comprising, means providing a heater combustion chamber, aconduit connecting the combustion chamber to the intake manifold toeiect a reduction of pressure within the combustion chamber and toremove products of combustion from the combustion chamber, and meanscompensating for variations in pressure in the intake manifoldto eectmore even pressure in the combustion chamber, the last mentioned meanscomprising a balanced spool valve adapted to variably restrict saidconduit, a exible diaphragm connected by a link to the valve, a housingproviding a chamber on one side of the dia- 75 phragm. and meansconnecting the chamber to the conduit'to eiect flexure of the diaphragmand consequent movement of the valve responsive to variations inpressure Within the conduit.

6. In an automobile heater of the class described Which utilizes vacuumdeveloped in the intake manifold of the automobile engine, thecombination comprising, means providing a heater combustion chamber, aconduit connecting the combustion chamber to the intake manifold toeiect a reduction of pressure within the combus'tion chamber and toremove products of combustion from the combustion chamber, a valve forshutting off said conduit, and means compensating for variations inpressure in the intake manifold to eiect more even pressure in thecombustion chamber, the last mentioned means comprising a valve adaptedto variably restrict said intake manifold of the automobile engine, thecombination comprising, means providing a heater combustion chamber,means for feeding fuel to. the combustion chamber, a conduit connectingthe combustion chamber to the intake manifold to eiect a reduction ofpressure within the combustion chamber and to remove products ofcombustion from the combustion chamber, and means compensating forvariations in pressure in the intake manifold to effect more evenpressure in the combustion chamber, the last mentioned means comprisinga valve adapted to variably restrict said conduit.

8. In an automobile heater of the internal combustion type adapted to beconnected to a source of varying suction created by the operation of theautomobile engine. the combination comprising, a heater'combustionchamber, means providing fuel to the combustion chamber, a conduitconnecting the combustion 'chamber to said source of varying suction toprovide the draft for combustion, a valve in the conduit, and a valvecontrol means responsive to pressure in the conduit between the valveand the combustion chamber for controlling the valve to compensate forvariations in said pressure.

HENRY J. DE N. McCOLLUM.l

